USDA Forest Service · California
Onion Valley
USDA Forest Service · California, United States
- Sites
- 30
- Hookups
- 22 no hookups
- Season
- May 15 to October 24
- Max RV length
- 25 ft
- Drinking water
- No
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 9,626 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile weak · Verizon weak · AT&T none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Lake
- Inyo National Forest
- Address
- Independence, CA
- Phone
- 760-937-6070
- Activities
- Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Wildlife Viewing
30 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
This quiet campground is set amidst breathtaking scenery of rugged mountain peaks, thick forests and waterfalls in the Onion Valley area of the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Its location on the creek and proximity to the John Muir Wilderness make it a popular hub for hikers, anglers, photographers and those who want to relax in a peaceful, natural setting.
Recreation
Majestic scenery and challenging trails draw campers to the Onion Valley area for hiking and horseback riding. The campground is near Kearsarge Pass, Robinson Lake and Golden Trout Lakes Trailheads, which access several alpine lakes and mountain peaks within the John Muir Wilderness, as well as Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park.
The eastern Sierras are also known for exceptional trout fishing. From the campground, anglers can try for rainbow, brown, brook and Alpers trout in Robinson Lake and a nearby creek.
Facilities
The campground is tucked away near the end of Onion Valley Road. Campsites are private and primitive, and every site has a scenic view. Amenities include vault toilets, and bear-proof food storage lockers, which campers are required to use. Firewood is for sale on-site.
Natural Features
Situated at an elevation of 9,200 feet, the campground is surrounded by the towering peaks of the John Muir Wilderness and immersed in shrubs, lodgepole pine and aspens. Lovely wildflowers color the landscape in late spring and early summer. The campground is adjacent to a creek and lake.
The area is home to abundant wildlife, including black bear,which frequent the campground, mountain lions, mule deer, pine martin, pika and many species of fish and birds.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (602) 726-1102.
Nearby Attractions
Campers can enter the John Muir Wilderness, a land of lofty snow-capped mountains, deep canyons and vast expanses of glacially carved terrain, via nearby trails. Some trails lead into Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park to the west.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29° | 17° | -3° | 47° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 30° | 16° | -3° | 43° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 34° | 19° | 2° | 56° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 43° | 26° | 10° | 56° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 55° | 37° | 14° | 69° | 8 of 11 |
| June | 70° | 50° | 23° | 79° | 1 of 11 |
| July | 77° | 57° | 47° | 84° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 73° | 55° | 45° | 81° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 65° | 48° | 36° | 74° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 55° | 36° | 9° | 69° | 6 of 10 |
| November | 44° | 30° | 7° | 58° | 8 of 10 |
| December | 33° | 20° | -11° | 48° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Grays Meadows · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi · 53 sites
- Independence Creek Campground · City, County & Regional Parks · 8 mi
- Fort Independence Reservation RV Park and Campground · Tribal Lands · 8 mi
- Mt. Whitney Trailhead Ravine Campground · USDA Forest Service · 14 mi
- Whitney Portal · USDA Forest Service · 14 mi · 47 sites
All public campgrounds in California · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.